Hibernate a computer all day?

Question

Which tactic is better for the software and mechanical life of a computer (laptop and desktop)...

1. Leave it ON all day even if its not being used, and turn it
OFF only @ night?

2. Hibernate it everytime its not being used and turn it OFF only @ night?

3. Turn it OFF everytime its not being used and back ON again when needed?

Thank you

xxxnullifierxxx · Answer

during the day hibernate it, shutdown at night, works great for me

lpprikej · Answer

the least number of times you actually power off and on will extend the life. The only thing that gets beat up while running 24/7 is really just the fans. Of course you should have a GOOD UPS with AVR to protect it while it runs etc...

PETER345 · Answer

mombodog,

I would like to see some info too. I keep hear these old wives tales and there seems to be no evidence.

One thing the other poster forgot is that devices age when they are hot and currents are flowing. If the machine is kept on, the semiconductors (CPU, GPU, chipset, power devices in the PSU) are definitely aging. The do have a long life, but it is certainly not true that nothing is wearing out.

One comment on hibernation: the power consumption and wear and tear are identical for hibernation and power off. I would choose whichever is more convenient.

Peter

mombodog · Answer

'the least number of times you actually power off and on will extend the life'   You have any links that support this theory?   I have an old 200mmx PC that was turned on and off several times a day for 5 years, still runs fine when I boot it once a month now that it is semi retired.

lpprikej · Answer

Well maybe mythbusters have some proof. You can argue this all day.

My point is, when you turn a computer on, it has the Highest amount of amperage draw on the PSU as everything, mainly the Hard Drives, have to start from a complete stop.

Also: on-off-on-off etc.... = heat up-cool down-heat up-cool-down = contraction-expansion etc.. you get the picture. This is why Bios chips, and ISA PCI cards used to work their way out etc...

There are many links/search engines, forums that have info regarding each theory.

I support more than 60 servers which of course are on 24/7 and in 3 years I think I replaced 1 fan, and maybe 10 hard drives but the drives were over 4 years old.

Also-Think of the percentage of light bulbs that blow out as soon as you turn them on. I would say 90%. as apposed to blowing out when they are sitting powered on.

Message Edited by lpprikej on 10-25-2007 02:12 PM

PETER345 · Answer

Yes, but the fact that you don't have many failures with them running all day doesn't mean there will be more failures if they go into standby periodically. It could be you'd have fewer failures when not running 24/7. (I'm not saying I know the answer either).

One thing is for certain: You will burn more power running 24/7. I think most people would be surprised how much it adds up to over a year.

Peter

mombodog · Answer

'Also-Think of the percentage of light bulbs that blow out as soon as you turn them on. I would say 90%. as apposed to blowing out when they are sitting powered on.'   What do light bulbs have to do with Computers? I don't think computers have filaments any more.   So we agree, both sides of this are just theory. So lets not represent theory as fact.

PETER345 · Answer

mombodog,

I thought you might be interested in this.

I went to the Seagate web site to see if they have some data. They spec their drives at 50,000 contact start/stops (heads landing and taking off when the drive spins up/down). Apparently, this is an industry standard spec. That would allow you to power down the machine/HD 14 times per day for 10 years. This is something that they can measure.

Peter

mombodog · Answer

Thanks peter, I have read similar documents on hard drives, good point.   I believe hardware failures are directly related to build quality rather than power cycles, also if the AC power to the PC is clean and steady, or not.   I have electonic devices that still work from the 1920's throught the 70's, I also have  some cheapo's that broke the first week of use.

PETER345 · Answer

I think you are absolutely right about the build quality being one of the primary factors. Unfortunately, it doesn't help figure anything out. That is why I don't think those HD specs end up meaning much in the end.

Peter

Charlie-M · Answer

As to the electronics I(Personal Opinion Only)don't think it matters much either way. but I think, from personal experience, plastic switches have a length of life determined only by their environment(Heat & Dust). I think one can only determine the use either way depending on their personal circumstances. I have one computer 24-7 because it runs a weather station but 3 more that perform less daunting tasks that are shut down when the task is finished be it after a few minutes to several hours of use. With smart cleaning and maintenance the only problems I have had were a couple of hard drives die.

Charles

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Hibernate a computer all day?

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